JERSEY CITY, N.J. — On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, April 9, the New Jersey City University softball team hosted William Paterson for a pair at the Gerrity for more New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action. In game 1, NJCU battled with the Pioneers for most of the contest, but the Pioneers took the lead late, winning 5-2. In game 2, William Paterson went ahead early, and ultimately won in five innings 9-1.

Game 1: WPU 5, NJCU 2
The Pioneers (2-18, 2-6 NJAC) jumped on the Gothic Knights (6-13, 1-7 NJAC) early, taking a 2-0 lead off a double to left field. Senior pitcher Sidnie Dabbadie (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs), making her ninth start of the season, shut down Willy P before any further runs crossed the plate. In the home half, senior shortstop Emily Tunney (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest) led off with a double to left field. Junior second baseball Jordan Mendolla (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) bunted for a one-out hit, and an arid throw plated Tunney and moved Mendolla to second. Junior first baseman then singled, putting runners at the corners. Junior designated player Abby Castro (Clifton, N.J./Passaic County Tech) hit a ground ball to the Pioneers second baseman, but beat out the throw to first, preventing an inning ending double-play and Mendolla to come across.

Unfortunately, the Gothic Knight offense was unable to get going for the remainder of the game, as no runner was able to get further than second base. In the top of the sixth, Willy P threw three runs on the board, and NJCU had no answer.

Game 2: WPU 9, NJCU 1 (5 innings)
WPU took an early lead in game 2 as well, leading 4-0 before the Gothic Knights could get a plate appearance. Freshman right fielder Alonah Olden (Lake George, N.Y./Lake George) walked, advanced to second on a passed ball, and stole third, but was stranded to end the first. The Pioneers put up one in the third, and two more in the fourth. In the home half of the inning, Mendolla and Barrios led off with back-to-back hits. Freshman Shannon McGuire (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) entered as a pinch-runner for Barrios, and head coach Ashley Martinez called for a double-steal, which placed both runners in scoring position. Senior designated player Mariah Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Mendolla and getting NJCU on the board. However, this would be the Green and Gold's only run, and after the Pioneers brought home two more in the fifth and NJCU couldn't score in the bottom half, WPU won 9-1. 

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights will take a short break from NJAC play, hosting John Jay for a doubleheader Thursday afternoon, April 11. First pitch of game 1 is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.